Computer Science

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for computing professionals is expected to significantly increase in the near future. The government projects that 70 percent of newly created U.S. jobs through 2016 in the sciences and engineering will be in computer science. The ASU Department of Computer Science is constantly evolving to reflect national trends in training future programmers, including computer game developers. We offer a B.S. in Computer Science, a minor in Computer Science and three certificates.

Certificate: Computer Game Development

Begin a career in computer game development at ASU. The Computer Science Department was named in 2010 to Princeton Review’s list of the “Top 50 Undergraduate Game Design Programs.” The ASU program maintains the Entertainment Computing Laboratory for computer science students specializing in game development, and offers a four-course sequence designed to prepare students for a career in the entertainment software industry.

By completing a four-course sequence with grades of C or better, any student can earn a certificate in Computer Game Development. The courses include:

CS 3371 – Computer Game Development I;

CS 4371 – Computer Game Development II;

CS 3372 – Handheld Game Development; and

CS 4318 – Artificial Intelligence

Students without prior programming experience will prepare for certificate courses by completing CS 1336, CS 1337 and CS 2336.

Just some of the games students have developed here at ASU:

“Mech Man”, a FPS multiplayer online game by Dalton Wood, John Hopkins and Simon Olsen. Customize your robot and go to battle with others online!

Certificate: Web and Mobile Development

Web and mobile apps are more important than ever. By completing a four-course sequence with grades of C or better, any student can earn a certificate in Web and Mobile Development. Four courses are required:

CS 1351 – Java Programming;

CS 3312 – Web Programming;

CS 3372 – Handheld Game Development; and

CS 4312 – Internet Technologies

Students without prior programming experience will prepare for certificate courses by completing CS 1336, CS 1337 and CS 2336.

Certificate: Cybersecurity Technologies

Any student can earn a certificate in Cybersecurity Technologies by completing four courses with grades of C or better. These three courses are required:

What is Computer Science?

The curriculum for an ASU computer science degree covers artificial intelligence, graphics, software engineering, database systems and game development, among other areas. The curriculum is also flexible, giving students the option of specializing in the areas of computing they are most interested in.

Faculty Expertise

Computer science professors keep up-to-date with the latest technology advancements. The average class has 20 to 25 students, and courses are taught with a hands-on approach. Students also have access to several computer labs, including the Entertainment Computing Laboratory.